Welcome to Josh Giddey’s great unknown.
Who his exact teammates will be at the start of training camp, his role, a future contract extension? According to the Bulls’ latest acquisition, he didn’t ask about any of it and wasn’t told.
“I’m going into it as whatever happens here happens,” Giddey insisted to the media on Wednesday in his first presser since he was traded in a deal that sent Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “I just kind of focused on getting here, getting acclimated to the new surroundings. I haven’t asked. I know the draft is [Wednesday] and they’ll get players through that, but in terms of what direction the franchise is going I haven’t asked any questions.”
Not that the always tight-lipped Arturas Karnisovas would have shown the 21-year-old Aussie his hand this early in the process of what several around the league feel is a rebuild disguised in the Trojan Horse of a “retooling,” but then again the executive vice president of basketball operations seldom shows his hand to anyone outside the top offices of the Advocate Center.
In this instance, however, there are more than a few tells.
First, Giddey was added to be the lead point guard. At 6-8 and having an elite level of play-making ability, the hope is he can pick up right where Lonzo Ball left off in the 2021-22 season, before the three left knee surgeries all but put Ball’s career in jeopardy. That means putting the offense into a sprint up the floor rather than a casual stroll.
That’s why multiple sources have indicated that the Bulls are opening the door to all trade possibilities this offseason and not just on the Zach LaVine front.
They are ready to move off Ball, which could include a waive and stretch if need be, and will listen to trades that involve Nikola Vucevic as well as a sign-and-trade with free-agent-to-be DeMar DeRozan.
It will have to make sense for Karnisovas, but he finally seems ready to climb down the hill of continuity that he spent the last few seasons dying on.
The feeling of one NBA executive was that the Bulls didn’t just trade Caruso for Giddey. It was in fact Caruso for Giddey and a first-round pick in the 2025 draft. It just so happens that the pick is their own, staying with Karnisovas if the Bulls land in the top 10 of the lottery.
Otherwise, it would become the property of San Antonio.
So the idea of getting worse in the standings but having a young, up-and-coming 21-year-old flashy point guard and a top 10-pick in a loaded draft class? Well, winning by losing.
Then factor in Wednesday’s first round of the NBA draft and a No. 11 overall pick heading the Bulls’ way — barring an aggressive move up — and just like that the roster could be somewhat flipped while still holding onto Coby White, Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu.
Giddey’s part in all of this is a simple one: get better.
He did express a certain amount of self-awareness, especially when asked about losing minutes and a diminishing role in the postseason for the Thunder.
“It was probably a blessing in disguise for me,” Giddey said. “It really taught me what I need to work on, how I need to get better. Obviously, the shooting is a big one, but also the defensive end. Coming into this season a switch just flipped in my mind and I just realized that to be at the highest level you’ve got to really be able to compete at that end. You’ve got to be able to sit there and guard guys.
“It’s (the defensive) side of the ball that I really want to take steps in so that when playoff time comes around I’m ready to go on both sides of the ball, not just pick on one.”
Refreshing.
Not only was Giddey open about the weaknesses in his game he wants to improve on, but also admitted to what Thunder executive Sam Presti said in the wake of the trade, that Giddey did indeed ask to be dealt rather than be a backup for the Thunder.
The only topic he wouldn’t detail? The allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor, which he was cleared of by the NBA and Newport Beach investigators.
“Completely understand the question and I know you’ve got to ask, it’s your job, but I’m not going to comment on anything regarding that situation,” Giddey said politely.
Where does all of this now lead?
Well, piece No. 2 is likely coming Wednesday. If it’s the high-flying athletic Ron Holland it would make sense. He fits with what Giddey likes to do.
Just don’t ask Giddey.
“Like I said, I haven’t asked (about personnel changes),” Giddey said. “I’ll try and play my part in trying to help our team be as good as we can be right from the jump.”